CLAST English Language Skills 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which sentence is grammatically correct?
- Each of the students have their own desk.
- Each of the students has their own desk. (Correct answer)
- Each of the students are having their own desk.
- Each of the student has their own desk.
Correct answer: Each of the students has their own desk.
'Each' is a singular indefinite pronoun, so it requires the singular verb 'has.'
Question 2: Identify the sentence that contains a dangling modifier:
- Running through the park, she spotted a deer.
- Running through the park, a deer was spotted. (Correct answer)
- She was running through the park when she spotted a deer.
- While she ran through the park, she saw a deer.
Correct answer: Running through the park, a deer was spotted.
In option B, the participial phrase 'Running through the park' incorrectly modifies 'a deer' instead of a person.
Question 3: Which of the following sentences correctly uses a semicolon?
- She studied hard; and passed the exam.
- She studied hard; she passed the exam. (Correct answer)
- She studied; hard and passed the exam.
- She; studied hard and passed the exam.
Correct answer: She studied hard; she passed the exam.
A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses without a coordinating conjunction.
Question 4: Which word correctly completes the sentence: 'The committee reached _____ decision after hours of debate.'
- it's
- its'
- its (Correct answer)
- it is
Correct answer: its
'Its' is the possessive pronoun; 'it's' is the contraction of 'it is,' which does not fit here.
Question 5: Which sentence demonstrates correct parallel structure?
- She likes to swim, running, and biked.
- She likes swimming, running, and biking. (Correct answer)
- She likes to swim, to run, and biking.
- She likes swim, run, and to bike.
Correct answer: She likes swimming, running, and biking.
Option B uses the gerund form (-ing) consistently for all three activities, maintaining parallel structure.
Question 6: Which revision BEST improves this wordy sentence: 'Due to the fact that it was raining, we cancelled the event.'
- Because it was raining, we cancelled the event. (Correct answer)
- Since the rain was present, cancellation was made.
- Due to rain being present, we made a cancellation.
- The event was cancelled, rain being the cause.
Correct answer: Because it was raining, we cancelled the event.
'Because' is a concise replacement for the wordy phrase 'due to the fact that.'
CLAST English Language Skills 1
Which sentence is grammatically correct?